Footwear retention system

ABSTRACT

A device is provided for preventing the loss of footwear. The device includes a strap having a first end and an opposite second end. The second end is permanently connected with the first end to define a loop. A tether includes a first end that is coupled to the strap and an opposite second end. A fastener is coupled to the second end of the tether. The fastener is configured to connect the second end of the tether to an article of footwear.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/648,517, filed Mar. 27, 2018, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to footwear, and more particularly to a retention system including a device for preventing the loss of footwear.

BACKGROUND

Footwear, such as, for example, shoes and sneakers, have a tendency for falling off the foot of a baby, infant, or small child during use and/or when the baby, infant, or small child is being carried by an adult. Because such footwear is not in any way attached to the baby, infant, or small child, it is typically lost after it falls off the foot of the baby, infant, or small child.

Devices have been developed that secure one end of the device to the baby's, infant's, or small child's body and an opposite end of the device to the baby's, infant's, or small child's footwear to prevent loss of the footwear should it fall off the baby's, infant's, or small child's foot. However, known devices for retaining footwear are capable of being manipulated by the baby, infant, or small child such that the baby, infant, or small child can remove the device from his or her body. Once the device is removed from the baby's, infant's, or small child's body, it is no longer effective to prevent loss of the footwear should it fall off the baby's, infant's, or small child's foot. This disclosure describes an improvement over these prior art technologies.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, a device is provided for preventing the loss of footwear. The device includes a strap having a first end and an opposite second end. The second end is permanently connected with the first end to define a loop. A tether includes a first end that is coupled to the strap and an opposite second end. A fastener is coupled to the second end of the tether. The fastener is configured to connect the second end of the tether to an article of footwear.

In one embodiment, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, a retention system includes a strap comprising a first end and an opposite second end. The second end is permanently connected with the first end to define a loop. A tether comprises a first end that is coupled to the strap and an opposite second end. A fastener is coupled to the second end of the tether. An article of footwear is releasably coupled to the fastener.

In one embodiment, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, a retention system includes an elastic strap comprising a first end and an opposite second end. The second end is permanently connected with the first end to define a loop. A tether comprises a first end and an opposite second end. The first end of the tether comprises a band. The band is coupled to the strap. The second end of the tether comprises a hoop. A connector couples the first end of the tether to the second end of the tether. The band is coupled to a first end of the connector. The second end of the tether is coupled to a second end of the connector. The second end of the connector is configured to releasably engage the first end of the connector. A fastener is coupled to the second end of the tether. A first portion of the fastener is positioned within the hoop. A second portion of the fastener comprises a snap hook. The second portion is rotatable relative to the first portion. An article of footwear is releasably coupled to the snap hook. The article of footwear is configured to be worn by a person and the loop is configured to encircle a limb of the person while the person is wearing the article of footwear. The second portion comprises a body, a hook extending from the body, and a gate. The gate is movable between a first orientation in which the gate engages a tip of the hook and a second orientation in which the gate is spaced apart from the tip of the hook. The gate is biased to the first orientation by a spring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will become more readily apparent from the specific description accompanied by the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a retaining system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a component of the retaining system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a retaining system in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of components of the retaining system shown in FIG. 9.

Like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure.

Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. For example, the references “upper” and “lower” or “top” and “bottom” are relative and used only in the context to the other, and are not necessarily “superior” and “inferior”.

The following discussion includes a description of a system that includes a retention device for preventing the loss of footwear, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed. Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. Turning to FIGS. 1-13, there are illustrated a retaining system 20.

Retaining system 20 comprises a strap 22 including a first end 24 and an opposite second end 26. Strap 22 extends continuously from end 24 to end 26. End 26 is permanently connected to and/or joined with end 24 to define a loop 28. Loop 28 is configured to be positioned around an anchor, such as, for example, a child's leg or other limb to couple an article of footwear, for example, to strap 22 to prevent inadvertent loss of the article of footwear, as discussed herein. In order for loop 28 to be effective in preventing inadvertent loss of the article of footwear, loop 28 should not be able to be broken such that end 24 is separated from end 26 for example. Indeed, if loop 28 was capable of being broken such that end 24 is separated from end 26, strap 22 would fall off its anchor (e.g., child's leg) and an article of footwear, for example, that is coupled to strap 22 would be lost. In some embodiments, strap 22 comprises an elastic material to allow loop 28 to expand from a resting state when being positioned over a child's leg, for example, and then contract and return to the resting state when loop 28 is in the desired location along the child's leg. In some embodiments, strap 22 comprises an elastic material that includes a class of polymer materials with high elastic nature including, but not limited to, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubbers, chloroprene rubber, Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA rubber), nylon, polyester and spandex and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, loop 28 is produced by circular knitting. In some embodiments, the circular knitting process includes circularly knitting yarn or other material into a fabric, such as, for example, a performance fabric. Circular knitting may include organizing knitting needles into a circular knitting bed. A cylinder may rotate and/or interact with a cam to move the needles reciprocally for knitting action. The yarns or other materials to be knitted are fed from packages to a carrier plate that directs strands of the yarn or other material(s) to the needles. In this manner, the knitting needles produce a circular fabric that is in a tubular form through the center of the cylinder. The circular fabric is then cut to produce loop 28 such that loop 28 has a square or rectangular shape. This allows loop 28 to be formed from a single, continuous piece of fabric that is produced using circular knitting. As such, loop 28 extends from end 24 to end 26 without including any seams between end 24 and end 26. In some embodiments, end 26 is permanently connected and/or joined with end 24 such that end 26 cannot be disconnected from end 24 without breaking end 24 and/or end 26. In some embodiments, end 26 is integrally and/or monolithically formed with end 24. In some embodiments, end 26 is coupled to end 24 by Velcro, threads, mutual grooves, screws, adhesive, nails, barbs, raised elements, spikes, clips, snaps, friction fittings, compressive fittings, expanding rivets, staples, fixation plates, key/keyslot, tongue in groove, dovetail, magnetic connection and/or posts.

In some embodiments, loop 28 is coupled to an end 30 of a tether 32. In some embodiments, end 30 is directly coupled to an opposite end 34 of tether 32. That is, tether 32 is continuous from end 30 to end 34. In some embodiments, end 30 is coupled end 34 by a connector 36. End 30 comprises a band 38 that is coupled to loop 28. An end 40 of connector 36 is coupled to band 38. In some embodiments, end 40 defines a male component of connector 36, as discussed herein. In some embodiments, end 40 includes a body having a first side 42 that is connected to a second side 44 by a shaft 46. Shaft 46 is positioned within band 38 such that band 38 surrounds shaft 46 to couple end 40 to end 30, as best shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, end 30 is coupled to loop 28 by stitching that extends through end 30 and/or loop 28. In some embodiments, end 30 is coupled to loop 28 by Velcro, threads, mutual grooves, screws, adhesive, nails, barbs, raised elements, spikes, clips, snaps, friction fittings, compressive fittings, expanding rivets, staples, fixation plates, key/keyslot, tongue in groove, dovetail, magnetic connection and/or posts. In some embodiments, end 30 is integrally and/or monolithically formed with loop 28.

An end 48 of connector 36 is coupled to end 34. In some embodiments, end 48 defines a female component of connector 36 that is configured to receive end 40 to couple end 48 to end 40, as discussed herein. End 34 of tether 32 defines a first hoop 50 and a second hoop 52. A shaft 54 of end 48 is positioned within hoop 50 such that hoop 50 surrounds shaft 54 to couple end 34 to end 48. In some embodiments, hoops 50, 52 are formed by taking a strip of material and connecting opposite ends of the strip of material by stitching 56 such that stitching 56 extends through the strip of material at least twice. Connector 36 is movable between a first orientation in which end 30 of tether 32 is connected to end 34 of tether 32 by connector 36, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and a second orientation in which end 30 is not connected to end 34 by connector 36, as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the orientation of ends 40, 48 is reversed such that end 40 is coupled to end 34 of tether 32 and end 48 is coupled to end 30 of tether 32.

In some embodiments, connector 36 is a side release buckle fastener. In some embodiments, connector 36 is the same or similar to one or more of the fasteners recited in U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,610, which is expressly herein incorporated by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, connector 36 is the same or similar to one or more of the fasteners recited in U.S. Pat. No. 5,546,642, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, connector 36 is the same or similar to one or more of the fasteners recited in U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,884, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, connector 36 is the same or similar to one or more of the fasteners recited in U.S. Pat. No. 6,757,944, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

A first portion 58 of a fastener 60 is positioned within hoop 52. A second portion 62 of fastener 60 is coupled to portion 58 such that portion 62 is rotatable relative to portion 58. Portion 62 comprises a hook, such as, for example, a snap hook 64. Snap hook 64 includes a body 66, a hook 68 extending from body 66 and a gate 70. Gate 70 is rotatable relative to body 66 and hook 68 via a lever 78. Gate 70 is movable between a first orientation in which gate 70 engages a tip 72 of hook 68, as shown in FIG. 6, and a second orientation in which gate 70 is spaced apart from tip 72, as shown in FIG. 7. A portion of an object, such as, for example, an article of footwear is configured to be inserted into a cavity 74 defined by inner surfaces of hook 68 and/or gate 70 when gate 70 is in the second orientation. Gate 70 is then moved from the second orientation to the first orientation to couple the article of footwear to fastener 60. In some embodiments, gate 70 is biased to the first orientation by a spring 76 positioned within body 66, as shown in FIG. 8. In some embodiments, fastener 60 is a trigger snap swivel hook. In some embodiments, tether 32 is adjustable in length to increase and/or decrease the distance between strap 22 and fastener 60. In some embodiments, tether 32 has a fixed length defined by the distance between strap 22 and fastener 60 and cannot be adjusted to increase and/or decrease the distance between strap 22 and fastener 60.

In operation and use, a child's foot is inserted through loop 28 and strap 22 is moved up the child's leg such that loop 28 encircles a portion of the child's leg. The child then inserts his or her foot into an article of footwear, such as, for example, a children's shoe 80 having a loop 82 such that at least a portion of the child's foot is positioned within shoe 80. If required, shoe 80 may be secured to the child's foot using shoe laces, for example. Shoe 80 is then coupled to fastener 60 by inserting loop 82 into cavity 74 when gate 70 is in the second orientation, shown in FIG. 7, and releasing lever 78 such that spring 76 causes gate 70 to move from the second orientation to the first orientation, shown in FIG. 6, thereby securing shoe 80 to fastener 60. Because loop 28 is secured to the child's leg, shoe 80 will remain with the child even if shoe 80 is removed from the child's foot and hence prevent shoe 80 from being lost. That is, by simultaneously coupling shoe 80 and the child's leg to tether 32, shoe 80 will remain attached to the child, even if shoe 80 is removed from the child's foot.

In some embodiments, connector 36 is moved between the first orientation, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which end 30 of tether 32 is connected to end 34 of tether 32 by connector 36, to the second orientation, shown in FIG. 3, in which end 30 is not connected to end 34 by connector 36. Shoe 80 can then be removed from the child's foot without removing strap 22 from the child's leg. Once shoe 80 is put back on the child's foot, shoe 80 can be reattached with tether 32 via fastener 60 in the manner discussed herein. Because strap 22 is still positioned around the child's leg, shoe 80 will remain with the child even if shoe 80 is removed from the child's foot.

It is envisioned that loop 28 may be positioned around the child's leg either before or after shoe 80 is coupled to tether 32 via fastener 60. It is envisioned that loop 28 may be positioned around the child's leg and/or shoe 80 is coupled to tether 32 via fastener 60 either before or after end 34 of tether 32 is connected with end 34 of tether 32 by connector 36. For example, in one embodiment, loop 28 may be positioned around the child's leg and shoe 80 is coupled to tether 32 via fastener 60 when end 40 of connector 36 is spaced apart from end 48 of connector 36, as shown in FIG. 3. After loop 28 is positioned around the child's leg and/or shoe 80 is coupled to tether 32 via fastener 60, end 40 of connector 36 engages end 48 of connector 36, as shown in FIG. 3.

In one embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9-13, tether 32 includes a slide 84 positioned between end 30 and end 34 in place of connector 36. Tether 32 further includes a portion 86 adjacent to end 30 that includes a single layer of material and a portion 88 adjacent to end 34 that includes a double layer of material to define a loop 90. Slide 84 is movable along tether 32 to increase and decrease the length of tether 32. For example, slide 84 is movable along tether 32 in the direction shown by arrow A in FIG. 9A to increase the length of tether 32 from length L1 to length L2, as shown in FIG. 9B. Likewise, slide 84 is movable along tether 32 in the direction shown by arrow B in FIG. 9A to decrease the length of tether 32 from length L2 to length L1. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the size of loop 90 is directly proportional to the length of tether 32. That is, as the length of tether 32 increases, the size of loop 90 decreases, and vice versa.

In some embodiments, slide 84 is the same or similar to one or more of the slides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,330,339, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, slide 84 is the same or similar to one or more of the slides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,729,608, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, slide 84 is the same or similar to one or more of the slides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,845,605, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, slide 84 is the same or similar to one or more of the slides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,905,939, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, slide 84 is the same or similar to one or more of the slides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,910,797, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, slide 84 is the same or similar to one or more of the slides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,920,549, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, slide 84 is the same or similar to one or more of the slides disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,064,423, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

End 34 of tether 32 is coupled to a fastener 92 that is similar to fastener 60. Fastener 92 includes a first portion 94 that is positioned within loop 90 and a second portion 96 that is coupled to portion 94 such that portion 96 is permanently fixed to portion 94. In some embodiments, portion 96 is integrally and/or monolithically formed with portion 94. Portion 96 comprises a body 98 and a clamp 100 that is rotatable relative to body 98 via a lever 102. In particular, lever 102 is rotatable relative to body 98 and clamp 100 to move fastener 92 between a first configuration in which lever 102 is spaced apart from clamp 100 and teeth 104 of clamp 100 are spaced a first distance D1 apart from body 98, as shown in FIG. 12, and a second configuration in which lever 102 engages clamp 100 and teeth 104 of clamp 100 are spaced a reduced second distance D2 apart from body 98, as shown in FIG. 13. Lever 102 maintains fastener 92 in the second configuration. That is, unless and until lever 102 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 13 to the position shown in FIG. 12, fastener 92 will remain in the second configuration.

In some embodiments, fastener 92 is a suspender clip. In some embodiments, fastener 92 is the same or similar to one or more of the clips disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,179,210, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, fastener 92 is the same or similar to one or more of the clips disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,508,320, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, fastener 92 is the same or similar to one or more of the clips disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,408, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety. In some embodiments, fastener 92 is the same or similar to one or more of the clips disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,313, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, in its entirety.

In operation and use, a child's foot is inserted through loop 28 and strap 22 is moved up the child's leg such that loop 28 encircles a portion of the child's leg. The child then inserts his or her foot into an article of footwear, such as, for example, shoe 80 such that at least a portion of the child's foot is positioned within shoe 80. If required, shoe 80 may be secured to the child's foot using shoe laces, for example. Shoe 80 is then coupled to fastener 92 by inserting loop 82 or another portion of shoe 80 between clamp 100 and body 98 when fastener 92 is in the first configuration shown in FIG. 12. Fastener 92 is then moved from the first configuration shown in FIG. 12 to the second configuration shown in FIG. 13 to secure loop 98 or another portion of shoe 80 between clamp 100 and body 98 such that shoe 80 is fixed to fastener 92. Because loop 28 is secured to the child's leg, shoe 80 will remain with the child even if shoe 80 is removed from the child's foot and hence prevent shoe 80 from being lost. That is, by simultaneously coupling shoe 80 and the child's leg to tether 32, shoe 80 will remain attached to the child, even if shoe 80 is removed from the child's foot. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for preventing loss of footwear, the device comprising: a strap comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the second end being permanently connected with the first end to define a loop; a tether comprising a first end that is coupled to the strap and an opposite second end; and a fastener coupled to the second end of the tether, the fastener being configured to connect the second end of the tether to an article of footwear.
 2. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the first end of the tether is coupled to the second end of the tether by a connector.
 3. The device recited in claim 2, wherein the connector is movable between a first orientation in which the first end of the tether is connected to the second end of the tether by the connector and a second orientation in which the first end of the tether is not connected to the second end of the tether by the connector.
 4. The device recited in claim 2, wherein the connector is a side release buckle fastener.
 5. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the first end of the tether comprises a band coupled to the strap, the band being coupled to a first end of a connector, the second end of the tether being coupled to a second end of the connector, the second end of the connector being configured to releasably engage the first end of the connector.
 6. The device recited in claim 5, wherein the first end of the connector is a male component of the connector and the second end of the connector is a female component of the connector, the female component being configured to receive the male component.
 7. The device recited in claim 5, wherein the first end of the connector is a female component of the connector and the second end of the connector is a male component of the connector, the female component being configured to receive the male component.
 8. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the second end of the tether comprises a hoop, a first portion of the fastener being positioned within the hoop, a second portion of the fastener comprising a snap hook, the second portion being rotatable relative to the first portion.
 9. The device recited in claim 8, wherein: the second portion comprises a body, a hook extending from the body, and a gate; and the gate is movable between a first orientation in which the gate engages a tip of the hook and a second orientation in which the gate is spaced apart from the tip of the hook.
 10. The device recited in claim 9, wherein the gate is biased to the first orientation by a spring.
 11. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the fastener is a trigger snap swivel hook.
 12. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises a body and a clamp that is rotatable relative to the body, the clamp comprising a plurality of teeth.
 13. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the clamp is movable between a first orientation in which the teeth are spaced a first distance apart from the body and a second orientation in which the teeth are spaced an increased second distance apart from the body.
 14. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the clamp is maintained in the first orientation by a lever.
 15. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the fastener is a suspender clip.
 16. The device recited in claim 1, wherein the tether has a fixed length defined by the distance from the strap to the fastener.
 17. A retention system comprising: a strap comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the second end being permanently connected with the first end to define a loop; a tether comprising a first end that is coupled to the strap and an opposite second end; a fastener coupled to the second end of the tether; and an article of footwear releasably coupled to the fastener.
 18. The retention system recited in claim 17, wherein the article of footwear is configured to be worn by a person and the loop is configured to encircle a limb of the person while the person is wearing the article of footwear.
 19. The retention system recited in claim 17, wherein the article of footwear comprises a hoop, the fastener extending through the hoop to releasably couple the article of footwear to the fastener.
 20. A retention system comprising: an elastic strap comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the second end being permanently connected with the first end to define a loop; a tether comprising a first end and an opposite second end, the first end of the tether comprising a band, the band being coupled to the strap, the second end of the tether comprising a hoop; a connector coupling the first end of the tether to the second end of the tether, the band being coupled to a first end of the connector, the second end of the tether being coupled to a second end of the connector, the second end of the connector being configured to releasably engage the first end of the connector; a fastener coupled to the second end of the tether, a first portion of the fastener being positioned within the hoop, a second portion of the fastener comprising a snap hook, the second portion being rotatable relative to the first portion; and an article of footwear releasably coupled to the snap hook, wherein the article of footwear is configured to be worn by a person and the loop is configured to encircle a limb of the person while the person is wearing the article of footwear, wherein the second portion comprises a body, a hook extending from the body, and a gate, wherein the gate is movable between a first orientation in which the gate engages a tip of the hook and a second orientation in which the gate is spaced apart from the tip of the hook, and wherein the gate is biased to the first orientation by a spring. 